Voting on X Factor will be free to viewers for the first time in the show’s history – saving the cost of pricey telephone calls.

Fans can download an app allowing them to vote starting from the live shows through to the live finals.

The app was available last year but votes were paid-for.

Nonetheless it was downloaded 1.6 million times, TV chiefs said.

Bosses formally announced the deal today.

Mark Brittain, Global Head of Commercial, Syco Entertainment, said: “We are constantly looking to innovate around the show.

"Giving the viewers the ability to vote free through the app will allow viewers, we believe, an even greater opportunity to interact with their favourite show and, of course, play the hugely important role in deciding the ultimate winner of the series.”

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In previous years bosses have made around £5million from phone landlines per series with around 15million votes being cast.

However this figure is thought to be higher once mobile votes are counted.